The laying on of hands is mentioned on a number of occasions in the Old Testament, so it is not surprising that it is mentioned in the Gospels and other New Testament writings. Here are a few examples. (Download the full PowerPoint here)
- Mark 10:16 “And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”
- Luke 4:40 “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.”
- Acts 8:17 “Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.”
- Acts 6:6 “And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.”
- Acts 28:8 “And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.”
- 1 Timothy 4:14 “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
Prayer ministry with the laying on of hands is an aspect of a number of the sacraments such as baptism, confirmation, ordination and anointing of the sick. In recent years it has also become a characteristic of the Charismatic Renewal Movement when praying for baptism in the Spirit, healing, deliverance and the like.
